Maternity pay

[NoMonNoFunx]

What do you All do after 9 months when maternity Pay stops and you want to take the year.
am I being unreasonable to think we should get paid for the year.
I’ve always worked.

We didn't start trying for DS1 until we had some savings and DS2 we didn't start trying til we knew we wouldn't have double non funded nursery fees (Scotland is 3 years old for most)

but the government need to do their part and pay the year if they give the year

Yes, it should come from that magic government money tree.

OP you do realise the government doesn’t actually pay for anything right? It’s the tax payers that pay.

It's one of the most expensive things you can do! Especially if you haven't planned how and when to return to work.

Fail to prepare: prepare to fail.

I went back to work when mine were 4 months and 6 months.
I think you are very lucky.

We saved beforehand, I did all 10 KIT days during that 3 month period (remotely so didn’t need childcare) and used all accrued holiday other than a couple of days to allow me a 3 day, 4 day, 5 day staggered return.

I got terrible maternity pay so had to use my savings during the 1st 9 months. I went back to work 32 hours and DC went to nursery for a few days and DGP for a day and 1 day with me.

Yes absolutely

As opposed to what? Are many women randomly having children with no planning?

No,the 'government '(us) don't have to: you make your own choices

Same. Well we saved to cover from 6m when I dropped from full to stat and then the 0 pay period too. I actually took 5 weeks short of a year as had a load of annual leave accrued to use too.

I would be surprised if the mat pay got extended now that childcare subsidies start from 9m though!

I covered HR for various countries in my last job, the poor women in many countries got 2 or 3 months paid maternity pay (USA included).
I actually fought for them to have more and managed to secure another month for them which i was so excited to be able to tell them. One particular lady who was pregnant burst out crying when I told her.
Meanwhile in the UK our staff were paid 90% upto 9 months.
It's very easy to compare yourself to the best maternity policies in the world and say it's unfair you don't get that when in reality we have it very good and have an amazing option of having a further 3 months at our own cost.

And where would the money come from?

We had ivf so yes, but due to the cost I only started diverting my savings once I was pregnant. I appreciate being able to pummel savings away is a privilege but there is 9m notice even with a surprise pregnancy. I think the actual maternity pay is what the issue is, IE how is statutory maternity pay (under National minimum wage) meant to sustain a mum & new baby, never mind if there are other children etc.

Obviously. Of course you plan your children.

"The government" means the taxpayer.

I'm not sure why you think the taxpayer should pay for you to stay at home for longer simply because you didn't plan very well?

I didn't get that memo

It's possible to average it out so you get the same amount each month.

Of course

Had to go back to work. It’s my biggest regret, I wish I’d taken the full year but financially we could t have done it. Savings weren’t enough to get by.

Well I did it 3 times. Not once have my dh and I sat there and said let's have a baby.

So it was immaculate conception every time? The babies just miraculously appeared?

But you have to stop using contraception in order to have a baby, which means a discussion about when to stop using it. People also plan how many kids they want.
You don’t just use no contraception and have zero planning for another baby in the family.

I went back at 6 months. I couldn't afford 9 months off work

Very funny. People do have sex other than when they are actively trying to get pregnant you know.

Why should the government fund your choices?
You save or use annual leave to bridge the gap.
If you can't afford to be off 12 months you go back to work